What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XII)

The King in his 70s Vegas pomp, spread across four CDs. Some awesome playing (and singing) on here:

Streaming | WAV

(1973)

Seeing Joe Walsh being played last night on the forum prompted me to give this fine album a play.

Clive B posted:

Got the NS01 to find the download at last, so can now listen to it while I return the LP for (hopefully) an unscratched one. I realise it's mostly left-overs from the H.C.E. album, but still quite enjoyable.

I've just noticed on the Naim app that this is 96kHz (and I assume 24bit), which isn't bad for a 'free' download with the LP.

There's another thread going about this entitled 'Steven Wilson - 4 1/2 EP'. At 37 minutes it may seem short by CD standards, but it's no shorter than many LPs from the pre-CD era.

Clive B posted:

Where are these being sold?

Thanks,

Clive

Clive, this is a type of publishing known as a "patrwork" - a type of serialised, planned publication. It was a very big industry from the 1960s to the '90s, with big publishers like Marshall Cavendish, de Agostini, Eaglemoss, Del Prado, Hachette, etc, but it's not as large any more.

Partworks usually comprise overpriced tat and so-called "collectables" but this looks to be a decent set if you don't have the albums. You can buy at your newsagent, supermarket or WHSmith.

Most shops don't tend to stock past the first dozen issues, so you may have to reserve for later issues; or else subscribe or order via the De Agostini website.

Thanks, Kevin. I'll check it out.

Wolfgang Muthspiel and Brian Blades "Friendly Travelers"

Kenny Wheeler Quintet "Flutter By, Butterfly"

Streaming |WAV

(2001)

In the mood for something by Simon Posford and this psychedelic trance will do nicely to start with.

Photek: Solaris  2000 Recording

Revisiting the tunes I used to listen to 15 years ago.

Extremely repetitive and very turn of the century.

Have finally given it a play. Early impressions of course. It didn’t blown me away. Dark (as the title would imply) and complex so it probably needs a few listens to properly judge. I could feel myself warming to it in the second half. Lazarus and Dollar Days I like immediately. Good reproduction quality too.

I was disappointed by The Next Day when that was released but this feels a much stronger album. Must say reading the sleeves notes with black text on black background is a bit of challenge though.

From the complexity of Bowie's Dark Star to the simplicity of The Cars debut album.

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2013)

Just one more while I'm in the mood, his last to date in Shpongle guise.  

Streaming via Tidal

                      Neil Diamond Hot August Night,  360 grams of of nostalgia.

Why am I being told I'm not allowed to upload photos?

Peter Gabriel - 4 (Security)

45RPM

Paul Simon. Hearts And Bones. On vinyl from 1983. Saw this posted recently and figured it's time for a spin.

Boddah posted:

 Neil Diamond Hot August Night,  360 grams of of nostalgia.

Why am I being told I'm not allowed to upload photos?

Coincidence or were you playing this for his birthday? Neil turned 75 today.

Wow major coincidence! Pleased I did  

Robert Cray. Midnight Stroll. On CD from 1990. Decent album but I prefer "Strong Persuader" to it.

Walter/Miller/ Columbia Symphony: Brahms: Alto Rhapsody/Song of Destiny  & Mahler: Songs of a Wayfarer  1960 recording

I much prefer Walter's Mahler program than Brahms. 

Comfortable and easy orchestration contrasting Mildred Miller's sharp crystalline voice.  Waler’s direciton is animated but not overdone. Sweet and lovely perfect for this nauseatingly forlon puppy love lyrics Mahler wrote.

Lucky strike extra is that this original 2 Eye pressing mono sounds pretty good void of usual Columbia dryness.

Oistrakh/Gauk/USSR State Orchestra: Beethoven Violin Concerto  1950? recording

Usual cool, but classy Oistrakh program backed up by solid sensible hand of Gauk. Refined and delicate but avoid a syrupy mess. This is not a particualy a flashy playing yet he deliniates many musical interests off the score. Lucid and fluid 1st movement. The music unfold and glides through like silk threads in his hands. Even the cadenza is more lyrical rather than flashing the showman ship whilst maintaining a star presence. Largetto starts in a pensive mood. Gauk takes judicious tempo to breath the life into the delicate melody line that leads the tune. Orchestration reminds me of a faithful friend standing by watching and supporting. Rondo finale is breathtaking showcasing his technical excelence without losing the delicate touch. In spite the high noise, the fiddle stays immediate and intimate.

Now had a real listen to this and just got back to earth, and realized I am still not a Bowie fan, or I perhaps Ned to run the album must more...... The initial attractions Darkstar and Lazurus are still there...

Didn't get so far into this one during my workout, but pretty ok..

Now with my morning ritual, piano. Wilhelmina Kempff didn't record so much Mozart, or it's not part of my collection. I like this one...